Bees are a pest species in Peoria that many people have mixed emotions about. On the one hand, honey bees provide a benefit to the environment and are an important part of the ecosystem. But, on the other hand, these bees can also be dangerous to have around.
There are many species of stinging, flying insects that can invade your property, so it’s useful to know how to tell honey bees apart from these other insects.
The best way to identify honey bees is that they are striped and have black and amber coloring. Another thing that sets them apart from other stinging insects is that they are quite fuzzy. One of the best ways to tell these bees apart from wasps, for example, is because of this fur. The main difference between bumblebees and honeybees is that bumblebees have more yellow coloring and make a buzzing sound.
Benefits And Risks Of Honey Bees
Just like most other bee and wasp species, honey bees are really important because of their role as pollinators. Because they pollinate all kinds of plants, they are essential for food production at the base of the food chain. In fact, many of the foods that we eat are dependent on honey bees and other similar species. And, they have another benefit that sets them apart. This is their ability to produce honey which is a delicious resource that would be horrible to go without.
However, while honey bees are good in many ways, they aren’t a good thing to have around your property. They can be quite dangerous. This is especially the case if you have Africanized honey bees near your property. It’s not advisable to approach a colony or hive of this species without a bee suit. This is because if angered they tend to attack in great numbers.
Worker bees have stingers that will be pushed further into the body where toxins are continuously injected, so it’s essential to remove the stinger immediately. This stinger also releases a pheromone that signals others in the hive to attack. Honey bees will also pursue intruders. As some people have severe allergic reactions, it’s important to seek medical attention if you are stung.
Tips For Preventing Honey Bees
Because honey bees can be very dangerous, it’s a good idea to take steps to prevent them from coming onto your property. It’s not always possible to completely prevent them, but you can reduce the risk by following these steps:
- Avoid overplanting flowering plants.
- Regularly trim back hedges, shrubs, and trees around your yard.
- Keep trash cans covered with lids as the smell of garbage can attract them.
- Try not to eat outdoors too often, and, if you do, always clean up drinks and food spills right away.
- Get pest control professionals to help with ongoing prevention and control.
The Best Way To Deal With Honey Bees
While honey bees aren’t generally aggressive, they are defensive. Because of this, the only safe way to handle honey bee removal is to contact the experts of Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. Our trained technicians will handle the problem and keep you and others around you safe. It’s never a good idea to approach a nest, so contact us immediately for help if you find one.
Find out more by giving us a call or requesting an inspection online.